One of my more somber obligations as your Presbytery Executive was to stand last week with pastors from the Presbytery and interfaith leaders from greater Milwaukee on the dais in Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid. We stood in unity as a community of religious leaders to condemn the murder of congregants during Shabbat services at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, to mourn their deaths, and to decry the violence that's taken hold of our nation.

Please mark your calendar for the November presbytery gathering on Tuesday, November 27th at Linn Presbyterian Church in Lake Geneva. Our theme is
Stewardship of our Time. This is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. We hope you can "make time" to attend! Click here for
details and to register online.

If you have anything you're doing in your local church that you would like to "promote" in the Presbytery Newsfeed at our gathering, please send your Powerpoint slide to
Chris Halverson by November 21.

IS YOUR CHURCH INCORPORATED?

We have heard from a few of our churches who thought they were incorporated, but found when they searched in the state records that there was no record of their incorporation. Our Stated Clerk Christian Boyd has put together an informational paper on what you need to know and do in order for your church incorporation to be registered with the state.
Incorporating Your Church

GET TO KNOW OUR PASTORS

Lance and daughter Emily

WHO WAS THIS?

This pastor was a college football cheerleader.

This week's mystery pastor is Lance Loveall, pastor at First Presbyterian in Kenosha. "During my freshman year at Northwestern College (IA) I was approached by a fellow catcher on the baseball team and senior to join the football cheerleading squad. He had to cheer because his girlfriend was on the squad and convinced him to do it. He "convinced" me to cheer, which I did for two years. I was not all that great, but was voted "hairiest legs," so that is something I guess."

No one guessed correctly, but please keep playing and have fun guessing!

While a student at North Carolina's St. Andrews Presbyterian College, this pastor participated in a college trip to Vietnam, only the second college sponsored group to be allowed entry after the end of the Vietnam War.

Send your guess to Chris Halverson and the first person to guess correctly will be recognized next week and receive a free dinner at the next presbytery meeting!

NEWS FROM THE DENOMINATION

GA AMENDMENTS

As we prepare to vote on Book of Order amendments at an upcoming Presbytery meeting, Fresh Impressions will give you a preview of the proposed changes.

We have been asked whether to amend G-3.0104 of the Form of Government by adding the following statement as the last paragraph: "No congregation, session, presbytery, synod, or national office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), nor any individual acting on behalf of or in an official capacity for the above institutions, shall publicly endorse or oppose, or otherwise encourage or discourage others to vote for or against an individual running for public office." Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment has been a provision in the United States tax code prohibiting charitable organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. In recent years, there has been discussion regarding the repeal of this amendment. This Book of Order amendment would make explicit the prohibition in our Presbyterian Form of Government, even if subsequently allowed by tax law. The rationale and comments related to this amendment can be found here. To read all proposed amendments, click here.

VACANCY DUES ELIMINATED

Out of a strong sense of stewardship and solid management of the revenue stream, the Board of Pensions has decided to eliminate vacancy dues, effective January 1, 2019. Currently, congregations pay dues for the first 12 months that a minister member's position is vacant. Going forward, this burden has been eliminated.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SABBATH SABBATICAL SUPPORT GRANTS

The Board of Pensions voted to expand eligibility for Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants. Effective January 1, 2019, the grants will be open to any Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister enrolled in Pastor's Participation engaged in or supporting congregational ministry, such as interim ministers and mid council staff. Currently, grants are limited to ministers serving congregations of fewer than 200 members.

Applicants will have to have been continuously enrolled in Pastor's Participation (previously, the Traditional Program) for at least the past six years. Their effective salary may not exceed $80,000, and they will have to show financial need. The Board of Pensions must approve their sabbatical proposal and costs. Ministers will be eligible to receive one sabbatical grant per six-year period.

FEATURED CONGREGATION

WHICH CHURCH IS THIS?

This congregation just celebrated their 60th anniversary! Every year they provide a Christmas Toy Store for children in their neighborhood. Their long-standing program, Children of the Promise, reaches out every Sunday in worship to children under 12. Every fall they provide a wonderful BBQ carryout fundraising event that is simply delicious! Answer ishere.

INVITATIONS

BOOK STUDY

Where the Cross Meets the Street

Presbyterians will soon have a new book study available to them. The co-moderators of the 223rd General Assembly have announced the title of their new year-long study, "Where the Cross Meets the Street: What Happens in the Neighborhood When God Is at the Center." The book is written by Noel Castellanos and explores his life and journey to become a Christian minister and leader. Born to parents of Mexican heritage, Castellanos shares the hardships of growing up, getting married, and raising a family in "tough neighborhoods." He also shares insight into ministering to people on the margins of society. The complete Presbytery News Service story by Rick Jones can be found at "Cross Meets the Street."

GRATITUDE, A CELEBRATION OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY

A collaborative project of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee's Committee for Interfaith Understanding and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, this exhibition of photographic banners is free and open to the public, November 19 to November 23,, in the Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53202. The fifteen large banners of GRATITUDE offer photographs taken by students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design that highlight some diverse sources of our spiritual sustenance. You are invited to the Exhibit Opening and Reception on November 19th at 5:30 p.m. in the Rotunda.
FLYER

GONG WASH HEALING MEDITATION

Click here for
details about event on November 18, 2018 at Tippecanoe Presbyterian.

MARTIN SCHREIBER AT GREENFIELD AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Former Governor Martin J. Schreiber will be the special guest speaker at the Nov. 18, 2018 Adult Sunday School at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church,

1455 S. 97
th Street, West Allis. The time is 11:00 AM, & EVERYONE who is interested in hearing about his book, My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer's Caregiver, is invited to attend. All of us know someone who's been impacted by this dreadful disease, whether as patient or caregiver; it's important to learn as much as we possibly can about the subject. "If there's one thing worse than Alzheimer's Disease, it's ignorance of the disease", Schreiber says. Please be with us, & invite friends to come, too! Copies of his book will be available, should you wish to purchase one.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

NEWS ABOUT OUR PCUSA YAVS

In this letter from Sherri Ellington, the Young Adult Volunteer site coordinator in Zambia, where our own Emily Teerink is serving, you will read more about where Emily and the other YAVs are serving, see some fun photos of them, and receive specific prayer requests for them. Letter

First Presbyterian Church of Waukesha, WI, is seeking a pastor starting Feb. 1, 2019. This is a stated supply position for a limited term with the possibility of renewal. We envision a full-time (40 hours per week) position, although we will consider candidates interested in a part-time position. Effective salary $55,000 plus benefits. Download a job description. Please e-mail your résumé or PIF to: presby1@sbcglobal.net

THE LISBON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SUSSEX AND THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RICHFIELD, WI ARE SEEKING A STATED SUPPLY PASTOR TO SERVE BOTH CONGREGATIONS

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IN RACINE SEEKS BRIDGE PASTOR

We are seeking a Bridge Pastor who will lead worship and preach on Sundays, moderate our session meetings, visit hospital/home as needed, conduct funerals and weddings, and provide staff oversight while we search for our permanent pastor.

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN IN RACINE SEEKS WORSHIP PIANIST

Second Presbyterian Church in Racine is looking for a church pianist to play for our Sunday worship service. This is a part-time paid staff position. If interested or for more details contact Rev. Alan McCalister at 414-640-4116 or emailamccalister@wi.rr.com

Our Mission is To honor God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults. Apply online at www.preshomes.org or contact Rachel Anderson, HR Representative at 262-695-5801 rranderson@preshomes.org for more information. We are located in beautiful Pewaukee, WI.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IN JANESVILLE SEEKS PART TIME SOLO PASTOR

First Presbyterian Church, Janesville seeks part time solo pastor. Click for
MIF

Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon WI is currently looking for a Bridge Associate Pastor to provide continuity with our Deacons, Adult Ed and Mission/Outreach ministries. This is a temporary role for the purpose of bridging the time until our PNC finds a new Sr. Pastor and we begin a search for a full-time Associate Pastor. It is not required that this Pastor be specifically trained in transitional work. Please see the attached job description or visit our website: www.crossroadspres.org Resumes or MIFs can be sent to: careers@crossroadspres.org. Please include any links or clips of relevant sermons or other recordings. Please click for JOB DESCRIPTION

GOOD SHEPHERD TRINITY SEEKS PART TIME BOOKKEEPER

Send resumes to the church at 3302 N. Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53216, to the attention of Jeannette Bell.

PRESBYTERY OF MILWAUKEE SEEKS TWO POSITIONS

The Presbytery seeks 2 people to serve in unique roles. We are hiring a part-time Communications Coordinator to be part of our Presbytery staff team. Also, as Jessie Read plans for retirement this year, we are looking for a part-time, volunteer Treasurer to begin working with her to transition. Click on those links for job descriptions. If you are interested in either position, notify Matt Lee, Moderator of Personnel Team.